Professional Documents
Culture Documents
DALLAS COUNTY
3/18/2015 10:08:54 AM
FELICIA PITRE
DISTRICT CLERK
2 CT-E-SERVE
DC-15-03069
CAUSE NO. ________________
ANDREA POLITO and ANDREA
POLITO PHOTOGRAPHY, INC.,
Plaintiffs.
v.
NEELY MOLDOVAN and
ANDREW MOLDOVAN,
Defendants.
Freeney Anita
L-193RD
_______ JUDICIAL DISTRICT
petition for presuit discovery pursuant to Rule 202 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure
recently filed by Plaintiffs in Cause No. DC-15-00660 and styled, Andrea Polito and Andrea
Polito Photography, Inc. v. Seeking the Depositions of Neely Moldovan, Andrew Moldovan and
Waste of Makeup Media, LLC, in the 134th Judicial District Court, Dallas County, Texas (the
Rule 202 Petition). The subject matter of this lawsuit arises out of the same facts and issues as
the Rule 202 Petition. Plaintiffs request assignment and/or transfer of this lawsuit to the 134th
District Court to facilitate an orderly and efficient disposition of the litigation.
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II.
2.
INTRODUCTION
This is a case about APPs clients, the Moldovans, who sought local media to
publish a story based on defamatory and disparaging statements about Polito and APP to exact
unjustified revenge for their personal benefit; who republished the story on various social media
and electronic forums, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, emails, and text messages to
harm Polito and APP; and who directed business away from Polito and APP. To further destroy
Polito and APPs reputation and business, the Moldovans engaged in a smear campaign taken
worldwide on many websites and different forms of media. The Moldovans took pride and
pleasure in the harm they caused, bragging they were pretty sure her business is done. The
Moldovans tortious actions have damaged Politos personal and professional reputation, caused
her extreme emotional distress, and already caused, and will continue to cause, substantial
economic damages to APP.
III.
3.
DISCOVERY PLAN
Plaintiffs submit that this matter should be conducted under Discovery Plan Level
Two, as set forth in Rule 190.3 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
IV.
PARTIES
4.
5.
APP is incorporated in Texas with its principal office located at 311 N. Market
served through her counsel Walter Boyd, III at The Law Offices of Walter A. Boyd, III, 4918
Milam Street, Houston, Texas 77006.
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7.
be served through his counsel Walter Boyd, III at The Law Offices of Walter A. Boyd, III, 4918
Milam Street, Houston, Texas 77006.
V.
8.
This Court has subject matter jurisdiction because the matter in controversy
Personal jurisdiction is proper in this matter because the Moldovans reside in and
transact business within the State of Texas, and have acquiesced to such jurisdiction. Venue is
proper and mandatory under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code 15.017 because Dallas
County is the county of the Defendants place of residence, and the county of Plaintiffs
residences, during the commission of the offenses complained of in this Petition.
VI.
10.
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
Andrea Polito began APP 12 years ago and has sacrificed her own personal
milestones to photograph the milestones of others. Being a small Dallas entity, APP receives
new clients through online inquiries, word-of-mouth referrals from former clients and wedding
coordinators, and her social media efforts on Facebook and wedding vendor websites. Until the
Moldovans decided to engage in conduct to ruin her business, Polito had built APP into one of
the more successful wedding photography businesses in the Dallas area.
11.
Polito is a private person and has shied away from the limelight during her career.
Unfortunately, her successful business and privacy came to a screeching halt when the
Moldovans happily decided they would destroy her business in local, national, and social media.
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A.
Neely Seeks Out APP and is Provided All Information Regarding APPs Services.
12.
On December 20, 2013, Neely submitted an online inquiry through the APP
website to discuss APP photographing her upcoming wedding in October 2014. Neely then met
with Polito at the APP studio on January 2, 2014. Andrew was not present.
13.
As is customary and routine for Polito, she designed for Neely a custom wedding
package within her specific budget, including the policies and procedures for obtaining all of the
items included within the wedding package.
package step-by-step, providing Neely detailed information on APPs services, including the
costs, timing, and delivery of the services and finished products. At the initial consultation,
Polito provided Neely with printed copies of her custom wedding package, contract, and
additional materials that Polito covered in depth during the consultation, including a
comprehensive frequently asked questions (FAQ) section.
14.
During this initial consultation, Polito explained in detail, and Neely understood,
the selection-and-delivery process of her wedding photographs, the album creation process,
including the different cover options and prices, the purpose for the archival fee, the additional
cost to hire Polito herself to photograph the wedding (rather than other APP photographers), the
separate items available on the a la carte menu (including the album cover), and the cost of
additional hours of coverage during the wedding.
B.
emailed Neely a copy of the contract on January 2, 2014 and asked if Neely had any questions
regarding the material Neely and Polito discussed during the consultation. In response, Neely
submitted the contract by email on January 6, 2014 and asked no questions.
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16.
On January 8, 2014, Chaney emailed Neely another copy of her welcome packet
that contained her payment schedule, FAQ, timeline checklist, and additional product
information.
C.
APP began photographing the Moldovans wedding series with the engagement
Neely expressed her excitement and approval of these photos in several forums,
including emails to Chaney and on Neelys blog and Facebook. Neely is a social media guru,
who maintains her own blog at www.acompletewasteofmakeup.com, has several social media
sites, and her sole source of income is derived from social media marketing, which is affected by
the popularity and/or traffic generated by her social media sites.
19.
October 11.
APP photographed the rehearsal dinner on October 10 and the actual wedding on
Chaney notified Neely on November 11 that the wedding images would be
available online by the end of the week. When Neely responded, asking if the Moldovans would
receive a disc of images, Chaney explained again that the disc of high-resolution images would
be released when the final album was completed and delivered. Neely responded, Sounds
great!
20.
On November 18, Chaney sent Neely a link with her wedding day photo proofs,
reminding Neely that the high-resolution images would be released when the album was
completed.
D.
However, on December 2, Neely began asking Chaney again when she would
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previously detailed selection-and-delivery procedure and timeline, and also repeatedly attached
to her emails the wedding package with the same information and FAQ. In particular, Chaney
reiterated to the Moldovans that the album must be completed, and that they would receive their
high-resolution images upon delivery of the album, as plainly stated in bold letters in their
contract. The Moldovans were required to submit their storybook album order form before the
album could be designed and delivered, and only when the album was delivered would the
photos be released. APP responded to Neelys numerous and redundant questions and inquiries
in a timely and professional manner.
22.
high-resolution photographs, asserting that she was entitled to immediate delivery per the
contract, and despite the fact that Neely had been provided all of the information from the initial
consultation and multiple times throughout the process. Eventually, and for the first time,
Andrew emailed Chaney on December 29 with the same questions and demands.
23.
Concerned about the clients satisfaction, APP offered the Moldovans delivery of
the high-resolution images once the album design was approved by the Moldovans rather than
when the completed album was delivered, allowing the Moldovans to receive the photos much
earlier than permitted by the contract. Still, the Moldovans demanded immediate release of the
photos without submitting the album order form.
24.
The Moldovans contended that they paid for the storybook album cover, when, in
fact, the cover must be purchased separately and only when the couple is ready to order the
actual album, which had been disclosed by Polito from Day 1 in the initial consultation. Because
the albums are internationally hand-assembled, cover options and prices vary from the time of
initial consultation to the time after the wedding and honeymoon when a couple actually submits
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the order form, which can often extend 18 months. The order form details the different costs for
the cover options, ranging from $125.00 to $225.00.
25.
demands, she emailed Neely on January 14, 2015 and, in an upbeat and respectful tone,
requested that Neely select the album cover, with the intention of waiving the cost of the cover.
Polito was willing to make this further concession, in addition to the previous offer to release the
photos once the album design was approved, not because the Moldovans gripes were legitimate,
but because she believes in keeping her clients happy and wanted to put their concerns to rest.
Polito simply requested that Neely submit the album order form so that Polito knew which
photos to include in the album design and which cover Neely preferred.
E.
But by the time Polito emailed Neely on January 14, the Moldovans had already
been contacting local media about their frustrations based on their, at best, failure to properly
read the contract and, at worst, flagrant disregard of their contract and numerous
communications with APP.
27.
Specifically, on January 12, 2014, Neely began searching for local media through
her personal contacts on Facebook, Twitter, and by phone. Andrew then emailed several news
outlets, including WFAA, NBC DFW, KDFW Fox 4, KTVT, and NBC Universal. Then, on
January 14, 2014, the Moldovans invited NBC 5 and journalist Scott Gordon to their home for an
interview. The story aired on January 16, 2014 with an accompanying article.
28.
Polito only learned after sending her January 14 email that the Moldovans had
been in contact with local media. In fact, the Moldovans were already meeting with NBC 5 and
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Gordon by the time Polito sent her January 14 email, deadset in their pursuit of publicity and
public shaming.
29.
such as blogs, Google, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, NBC, text messages, and emails, and to
make disparaging and defamatory statements in those same forums with the direct intent to harm
Plaintiffs. Those statements include the following:
a.
Polito was holding their pictures hostage, which is false and
wrongfully accuses Polito of improperly withholding pictures to which the Moldovans
were allegedly justly entitled at the time the statement was made, or earlier, without
further action from the Moldovans (Neely and Andrew during NBC 5 interview that aired
on January 16 at approximately 10 p.m.). Despite conflicting testimony during presuit
depositions regarding the holding hostage language, the Moldovans subsequent
publications of the interview article and video amount to ratification of the representation
that they made said statement. APP was not withholding the album or the pictures upon
additional payment (and was willing to assume the cost of the album cover). APP also
offered to deliver the high-resolution negatives before the Moldovans would have
otherwise received the images pursuant to the contract. The bottom line is that APP was
absolutely not holding the Moldovans pictures hostage.
b.
Polito cheated, scammed, and blatantly stole money while holding
pictures ransom and then adding on extra fees that werent in [the] original
contract, which charges Polito with the crimes of fraud and theft, and suggests Polito is
dishonest both personally and professionally (Wedding Wire review from Andrew with
October 11, 2014 wedding date). Although Andrew denies making this post, the
evidence will demonstrate that Andrew did in fact make this post: the review was posted
by Andrew M. whose wedding was on October 11, 2014, and Andrew Moldovans
wedding was on October 11, 2014; the review uses the same language that the
Moldovans used with friends, news media, and on social media, and other evidence
produced by the Moldovans will demonstrate that Andrew made the statement. Polito did
not cheat or scam the Moldovans, and never held pictures for ransom.
c.
Polito wanted the Moldovans to pay several hundred dollars more
before [she would] provide [the Moldovans] album or give [them their] pictures on
a DVD, which falsely accuses Polito of improperly withholding pictures to which the
Moldovans were allegedly justly entitled at the time the statement was made, or earlier,
without further action from the Moldovans (emails from Andrew to WFAA, NBC DFW,
KDFW Fox 4, KTVT, NBC Universal, January 12).
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d.
Polito had weeks to fulfill delivery to the Moldovans what [they] paid
for (Neelys Facebook conversation with Emily Schultz between January 15 and
January 17). In her deposition, Neely testified that the timeline for obtaining her wedding
photos was outlined in her contract and wedding package, and that each stated the
photographs would be turned over upon delivery of the completed storybook album.
Neely also admitted that APP offered to deliver the high resolution negatives upon
completion and approval of the album order design, as a concession offered by APP,
providing the images ahead of the time provided for in the contract. Neely further
testified that she never selected the images or submitted the album order form at the time
of making the statement. In short, the statement is false and misrepresents the facts, the
controlling documents, and the communications between the parties.
e.
The Moldovans never got[] a single email from [Polito] after calling
and emailing her directly, which falsely accuses Polito of not responding to the
Moldovans, and, in connection with the other statements detailed herein, portrays Polito
as an unscrupulous person who demands more money without offering explanation or
opportunity to speak with the clients (Neelys thank you to supporters in a Facebook post,
between January 17 and January 19; Neelys Facebook conversation with Emily Schultz
between January 15 and January 17; Neelys responses to Instagram comments, January
18 and 19). The Moldovans testified during their presuit depositions that they did not
directly call or email Polito. APP was in constant communication with the Moldovans
and was responsive to their communications. Moreover, Polito did communicate with the
Moldovans on January 14 after being informed by her staff of the situation.
f.
None of [what Polito said in her response letter posted to the APP
blog] is true, which falsely and unambiguously accuses Polito of dishonesty regarding
the entirety of her letter in response to the social media onslaught she endured, calling
into question her personal and professional character (Neelys comment to friends
Facebook post; Neelys Facebook conversation with Emily Schultz between January 15
and January 17; Neelys text conversation with former APP employee Laura Durham;
Neelys text conversation with Sara Lake, January 21; Neelys group text conversation
with Ally, Michele, and Ashley, January 21).
g.
Polito was having her photog friends harass [Neely] on Twitter,
Instagram [her] blog etc, which falsely accuses Polito of intending to harass Neely at
the hands of third parties, suggesting that Polito instituted a campaign against Neely
because of a guilty conscience and/or out of retaliation for the Moldovans allegedly
justified social and news media communications (Neelys comment to her own Facebook
post, January 17 at 6:33 p.m.; Neelys Facebook conversation with Emily Schultz
between January 15 and January 17). Neely also expressly attacked Politos professional
character in stating [t]he fact that shes now having people attack me on all forms of
social media shows how non professional she is. (Neelys Facebook conversation
with Emily Schultz between January 15 and January 17). In her deposition, Neely
testified that she believed Politos friends must have been coerced or asked to attack
Neely and/or defend Polito without providing proof in support. Neely admitted on the
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record that, while it was her opinion or belief that Polito directed her friends to harass
Neely, Neely made a factual statement without proof.
h.
Polito [kept] nickel and diming [the Moldovans] even tho [sic] [they]
spent 7000, which falsely accuses Polito of deception, charging hidden fees, and
generally unscrupulous business practices as a professional photographer (Neelys text
conversation with Sara Lake, January 21). Neely testified in her deposition that, since
her initial consultation with APP on January 2, 2014, she had been provided numerous
times with her contract and wedding package, which each clearly stated the cost for
additional coverage, the editing of photographs, and rehearsal dinner coverage. The total
amount stated is also false.
i.
The day before [the Moldovans] wedding [Polito and/or APP] called
and said [the Moldovans] needed to pay $900 extra for the 2 extra hours not
included in [their] contract they were working the wedding day which they never
told us about before, which falsely accuses Polito of deception, charging hidden fees,
and generally unscrupulous business practices as a professional photographer (Neelys
Facebook conversation with Melissa Mathis, January 13). Neely testified in her
deposition that, since her initial consultation with APP on January 2, 2014, she had been
provided numerous times with her contract and wedding package that each clearly stated
the cost for additional coverage. Neely was not actually charged $900 and admitted she
was not aware when the actual charge was made because she was on her honeymoon;
rather her fathers card was charged on October 21, ten days after the wedding.
j.
Polito didnt shoot ou[r] wedding. She sent 2 people we had never
met, which, in connection with the other statements detailed herein, portrays Polito as
an unscrupulous and unprofessional photographer who breached her contract with the
Moldovans and generally failed to perform her job requirements as a photographer
(Neelys thank you to supporters in a Facebook post, between January 17 and January 19;
Neelys Facebook conversation with Gabrielle Gorham Hill, January 16). Neely testified
during her deposition that, since her initial consultation with APP on January 2, 2014, she
understood and had been provided numerous times with her wedding package, which
clearly stated the Moldovans contracted for two company photographers and also stated
the additional cost to hire Polito specifically, and that she did not opt or pay for Polito to
photograph her wedding but rather contracted for APPs company photographers.
k.
Neely was pretty sure [Politos] business is done (Neelys Facebook
conversation with Emily Schultz between January 15 and January 17; Neely Facebook
comment to her NBC article post, January 16 at approximately 10 p.m.). Andrew
published statements to his friends, evidencing his intent and/or knowledge of the harm
his and Neelys actions would cause Plaintiffs, namely: [s]hes gonna get her image
ruined (Andrews text message to Shawn Hayward, January 16); [t]he people will let
up on Neely but the photographers business is damaged (Andrews text message to
Shawn Hayward, January 16); we were hoping [Polito] would have tried to save her
business and given us our album and pictures (Andrews text message to Ted Vitale,
January 17), implying Politos options were to hand over the photographs and album or
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suffer consequences of the Moldovans ruining her business. When asked if Polito knows
what Neely does for a living, Neely replied oh she knows (Neelys Facebook comment
in response to question posed by Melissa McCullough Ulrich, January 16 at
approximately 10:30 p.m.), posted in another forum Im a blogger and Im going to be
all over this once its resolved (Neelys comment in Park Cities Facebook post,
January 12), and told a third party that she had and/or wanted to acquire so much
ammunition to screw [Plaintiffs] over and that she and Andrew are hoping that
[their] story makes the news and completely ruins [Politos] business (Neelys
Facebook conversation with Lauren Schwalb, January 12 before the story aired and
before meeting with NBC), which, taken together, suggest Neelys intent to institute
and/or perpetuate a campaign to damage Plaintiffs. Neely also told a wedding
coordinator at the Petroleum Club that honestly the best you can do is just tell girls to
use someone else, james French, holt hanesworth, anyone else (Neelys Facebook
conversation with Lauren Callon, January 16), directing potential business away from
Polito. Yet the Moldovans represented to NBC or approved of the representation made
by NBC that neither of [them] ever hoped [Politos] business is ruined nor do [they]
even want that (Neely and Andrew during NBC 5 follow-up story published on January
22). Taken together, these statements manifest Neely and Andrews malicious intent to
harm Polito and APP and interfere with APPs business.
l.
The Moldovans also liked numerous other defamatory per se statements
posted by third parties, thereby ratifying and republishing those libelous statements.
These numerous statements endorsed by the Moldovans are nasty and reprehensible,
including those that refer to Polito as a scam artist, that imply a death threat, and that
accuse Polito of g[iving] [the reviewer] AIDS. In several instances, Neely more than
liked the posts, she also commented on them, acknowledging that she agreed with them
and/or found them humorous.
VII.
A.
CAUSES OF ACTION
The foregoing paragraphs are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth
31.
herein.
intentionally published in text messages, emails, and through several online forums false,
misleading, deceptive, and disparaging statements to defame Polito and APP. The Moldovans
statements are defamatory and actionable pursuant to Texas common law and constitute statutory
libel pursuant to Ch. 73 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code.
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32.
The statements are defamatory by charging Polito and/or APP with unscrupulous
business practices and character by, allegedly, not complying with the contract, not
communicating with the Moldovans, charging hidden fees, and failing to photograph the
wedding herself, among other allegations. Each of the statements is false.
33.
The Moldovans acted with malicious intent to injure Polito and APP even before
contacting and meeting with local media, and after the NBC story aired.
34.
Plaintiffs damages include, but are not limited to, general damages, economic
damages such as lost profits and out-of-pocket losses, exemplary damages, court costs, and preand post-judgment interest.
B.
The foregoing paragraphs are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth
36.
herein.
charged Polito with fraud, theft, and dishonesty regarding the contract at issue and APPs
selection-and-delivery procedures. The Moldovans statements are defamatory and actionable
pursuant to Texas common law and constitute statutory libel pursuant to Ch. 73 of the Texas
Civil Practice and Remedies Code.
37.
practices, and subjected Plaintiffs to public hatred, contempt, ridicule, and impeached their
honesty and integrity.
38.
Polito has suffered a loss of reputation that manifests in lost profits, for which
publication of the Moldovans statements, APP has already lost substantial profits. Moreover,
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the defamatory statements caused Polito severe emotional strain and mental anguish, and
impaired her ability to conduct business.
C.
The foregoing paragraphs are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth
40.
herein.
intentionally published in text messages, emails, and through several online forums false,
misleading, deceptive, and disparaging statements to injure APP.
41.
The Moldovans had a malicious intent to injure APP before ever contacting or
statements they made were false, and they knew those statements to be false when made. The
Moldovans were reckless about the falsity of other statements.
42.
As a result, APP suffered economic damages, including lost income and out-of-
The foregoing paragraphs are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth
45.
herein.
wedding coordinators and wedding planners with the intent to interfere with APPs business.
46.
There is a reasonable probability that APP would have entered into prospective
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47.
The Moldovans made various defamatory statements that deceived former and
future brides about Politos character and APPs business practices. Those statements, outlined
in paragraph 23(a)-(l), amount to defamation, defamation per se, and business disparagement.
48.
Neely acted with a conscious desire to prevent the prospective contract(s) from
being formed.
49.
Plaintiffs damages include, but are not limited to, economic damages such as lost
profits and out-of-pocket losses, exemplary damages, court costs, and pre- and post-judgment
interest.
E.
The foregoing paragraphs are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth
51.
Neely and Andrew Moldovan are two people that acted with the object of
herein.
exacting damage on Polito and APP through a tortious social and news media campaign rife with
defamatory statements.
52.
Specifically, Neely found media contacts while Andrew emailed them, and the
Moldovans worked jointly and overtly in sharing their allegations with the media and in
republishing both the NBC story and their own recountings in public and private forums with
intent to harm Polito and APP with false and defamatory statements. Upon information and
belief, the Moldovans also encouraged others to disparage and defame Polito and APP.
53.
Plaintiffs damages include, but are not limited to, economic damages such as lost
profits and out-of-pocket losses, exemplary damages, mental anguish damages, court costs, and
pre- and post-judgment interest.
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including damages associated with mental anguish, injury to feelings, and injury to character and
reputation. Prior to the Defendants remarks, Polito (and APP) enjoyed an excellent professional
reputation, receiving favorable reviews from clients and others.
55.
Plaintiffs request and are entitled to costs of Court, and pre- and post-judgment
interest at the maximum rate agreed to by the parties or permitted by law, pursuant to Texas law.
56.
Defendants committed the aforementioned acts with the kind of willfulness, wantonness, and/or
malicious intent for which the law allows the imposition of exemplary damages.
IX.
57.
All conditions precedent to the filing of this action have been performed, have
occurred or have been waived. Pursuant to Rule 47 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure,
Plaintiffs state they seek monetary relief over $200,000 but not more than $1,000,000.
X.
58.
JURY REQUEST
Pursuant to Rule 216 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, Plaintiffs request a
PRAYER
all actual, consequential, special, and exemplary damages as determined after trial
on the merits;
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2.
3.
pre- and post-judgment interest at the maximum rate provided by law; and
4.
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